Snakebite Envenoming Management (SEM)

Ahmad Khaldun Ismail

Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Bandar Tun Razak, 56000 Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Abstract

The clinical management of snake bite envenoming in the SEA region has been neglected for some time and has indirectly caused widespread inappropriate practices which may have resulted in poor outcome (morbidity and mortality). Poor knowledge and understanding about the appropriate snakebite management has been identified among many healthcare providers at all treatment levels and specialities. This has indirectly resulted in poor confidence in managing snake bite envenoming and suboptimal treatment outcome. To make matters worse, the references (e.g. handbooks/protocols/textbooks etc) used by medical students, pharmacists and healthcare providers contain serious fundamental errors and inappropriate practices for managing snake bite envenoming. Acknowledging the seriousness of this issue, an intermediate level educational program was organised specifically for healthcare providers called Snakebite Envenoming Management (SEM). SEM began in 2010 as a pre-conference workshop during the Biennial Scientific Meeting of the Post Graduate Medical Education Society (PGMES), Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah, Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. Ever since its formative stage, SEM has provided a conducive platform for adult learning to take place and encourage sharing of knowledge and experience among its participants. This open, friendly, interactive and guided approach in presenting and sharing information about current clinical practices and discussing related issues has helped participants to better understand and raise confidence in managing snake bite envenoming patients. SEM is now conducted as a one-day workshop/seminar/course and is popular among healthcare providers. It is conducted several times a year based on the request from various organisations and institutions. The general objectives of SEM are:

1. To introduce the snakes of medical significance indigenous to the country and their primary venom effects

2. To introduce the appropriate snake bite first aid practices in the prehospital and hospital setting

3. To introduce the appropriate clinical management and antivenom for snake bite envenoming

4. To increase the awareness on the services provided by RECS